STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Louisiana Tech fell in straight sets to host Tarleton State (25-20, 25-16, 25-19) on Friday night inside Wisdom Volleyball Gym as part of the Texan Classic.
 
Tarleton State's (6-5) efficiency on offense proved to be the difference, as the Texans hit .314 for the match while holding LA Tech (5-7) to just .171.  The hosts also controlled key stretches with timely runs, finishing the match with 11 more kills than the Bulldogs.
 
Trailing 16-8 in the opening frame, the Bulldogs clawed their way back into it, winning eight of the next 10 points to get to within two, a stretch that was sparked by kills from Ryan Rusher, Jailen Hurley, and Megan Cooley.  However, the Texans responded by winning four of the next five points to help seal the opener.
 
LA Tech struck early, going up 3-2 in the set on a block from Cooley and Gillispie.  Tarleton State answered with a 6-0 run and did not look back, finishing on top 25-16.

The third frame was tightly contested early, with Tech trailing just 14-13 after consecutive kills from Cooley and Hurley.  The momentum shifted when Tarleton went on a 5-2 run to stretch the lead to 19-15.  The Texans kept the Bulldogs at bay, closing out the match in three sets.
 
LA Tech was paced offensively by Hurley who had nine kills followed by Cooley and Zari Gillispie who each had seven.  Sydnee Carter provided the passing, dishing out 21 assists.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Scott Mattera
 
"Bottom line tonight was that Tarleton State played really well, and we did not rise to it.  They are a dangerous team when in system and our serve game just did not pressure them enough to make them uncomfortable."

"Sydnee Carter played a great match.  She really set some nice balls in tough situations and was super intentional about trying to mix things up."
 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will close out the Texan Classic on Saturday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.  First serve is set for 10 a.m. CT and will be streamed on WACInternational.tv.
 
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